Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Governing Board Minutes

Call to Order: President Ken Wunsch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Marv Rohn, Doug Pals, Pastor Burcham, Mark Pierson, Laurie Peterson, Lorrie Graaf, Ken Wunsch, Kevin Kelley, and Shawn Woolman.
Not present was Scott Snyder.

Visitor Recognition: Laura Rath was present as recording secretary.

Consent Agenda:

• The minutes from the November 2008 meeting were approved by consensus.
• After discussion, the financial report was also approved.

Monitoring Affirmation:
Parish Paper: The Board briefly discussed the topic of the December issue: “Does Your Window Limit Your View?”

Senior Pastor Report:

• Strategic Plan Update: The facilities, finance, and ministry focus groups will be submitting information on their work to the Communication Focus Group in preparation for upcoming Cottage Meetings planned for March 2009. The Board will begin preparation for an upcoming vote on the purchase of land by forming a voting committee and determining the voting process.
• Pastor Burcham requested approval to give the staff monetary Christmas gifts. Doug Pals motioned to approve, seconded by Kevin Kelley. The motion carried.
• Bill Jesse, Executive Director, has hired a bookkeeper, who will start on Monday, December 15.

Actions:
Congregational Listening Post: The Board discussed feedback, heard by Marv Rohn, regarding the practice of shaking hands at the beginning of service, during cold and flu season.

Policy Manual: Doug Pals presented changes to the Governing Board Policy Manual regarding reporting by the Senior Pastor to the Board. Doug Pals motioned to approve the changes, seconded by Lorrie Graaf. The changes were approved by vote.

Housekeeping:

• Future Meetings – January 13 Governing Board Meeting (Materials due January 7)

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Laura Rath.